Lighting and ignition switch



June 3 1924- S. F. BRIGGS .ET AL LIGHTING AND IGNITION SWITCH Filed Dec. 13, 1915 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WIT/VEJJ'f -f I W? array/vs) June 3, 1924.

5- F'. BRIGGS ET AL LIGHTING AND IGNITION SWITCH Filed Dec. 13 1915 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 L wa S. F: BRIGGS ET AL LIGHTING AND IGNITION SWITCH Jung 3 1924.

Filed Dec. 1:5, 1915 3 Sheets-Sheet a I I I W/ rwzwz-s.

Patented June 3, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN F. BRIGGS AND EDWARD N. JACOBI, OF IIIILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS TO BRIGGS & STRATTON COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

LIGHTING AND IGNITION SWITCH.

Application filed December 13, 1915. Serial No. 66,459.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, STEPHEN F. Heroes and Enuzmn N. JAconI, citizens of the United States, and residents of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin. have invented new and useful Improvements in Lighting and Ignition Switches. of which the following is a description, reference hein had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a. key controlled lighting switch combined with a pole reversing ignition switch. the removal of the key serving to lock the switch with the ignition circuit open and against a change in the connections made in the lighting circuit,- and the return of the key and its turning in the lock to unlock the switch serving to reverse the polarity of the battery ignition circuit.

Another object of the invention is to providesuch a switch with the parts so an ranged that they occupy a small space and will still afford the proper insulation, the construction being inexpensive to manufacture though neat and ornamental in itsappearance.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the lighting and ignition switch as herein claimed and all equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts in the difl'erent, views.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a switch constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof; Fig. 3 is a rear view with the switch base removed;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the switch base with the switch arms shown in dotted lines in the on position of the switch for lighting the strong headlights and the taillight, and showing the ignition switch brushes bearing on the live segments to establish the ignition circuit, as when the key is in place;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the change which takes place in removing the key, the ignition switch brushes having been shifted to the dead segments, and showing the insulating connector for moving them:

Fig. 6 is atransverse sectional view of the switch on the plane of line 66 of F lg. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the switch base on the plane of line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the switch with the base and switch member removed and the lock bolt shown in the locked off position;

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the switch handle with the locking cam sectioned on the plane of line 99 of Fig. 6, and showing the ratchet engagement thereof;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the lockin cam;

ig. 11 is a perspective view of the key Fig. 12 is a detailed view of the key; and.

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the insulating connector for moving the pole reversing ignition switch brushes. I

In these drawings 15 indicates a switch front plate adapted to be secured to the cowl dash or other switch board ofan auto mobile, and 16 is the switch handle centrally mounted therein and adapted to have a limited oscillating movement to assume the various operative positions for controlling the lighting circuit, such positions heing preferably marked on the front plate.

as shown in'Figfl." A flanged cylindrical casing or shell 17 is secured "to the back of the front plate 15 with a disk 18 therebetween, said disk being provided with an opening registering with the opening in the front plate, through which the switch handle passes, and an inturned flange 19 around the opening. A switchmember consisting of an insulating disk 20 carrying one or more sheet metal spiders 21 with radial springcontact arms is secured to the switch handle by means of screws 22, and a metal disk 23 on'the insulating disk 20 forms a bearing plate engaging the edges of the inturned flange 19 to prevent the withdrawal of the switch handle. The limitation in the movement of the switch handle is produced by an inwardly bent lug 24 cut from the flange 19 and projecting into a recess 25 in the switch handle 16, the engagement of said lug with the end walls of the recess limiting the movement of the switch handle in either direction.

A disk-like switch base 26 fits in the rear series of concave depressions 28 to receive the convex ends of the spring fingers of the spider in the different operative positions. of the switch, said convex ends of the spider arms riding over the surface of the switch base from one depression to the next in changing the switch from one posi-- tion to another. At desired positions these depressions are made in the ends of metal contact studs 29, 30, 31 and 32 respectively which passthrough the insulating base 26 and have screws and washers at their outer ends to form binding posts. The position and number of these contact studs and the position and number of the spring arms of the spider may be varied to suit the requirements of the particular use for which the switch may be designed. As shown, however, the contact stud 29 is intended for connection with the taillight, the contact stud 30 for connection with the bright headlights, the contact stud 31 for connection with the dim headlights, and the contact stud 32 for connection with the battery, and the spider arms are so arranged that in the on position of the switch, as shown by dotted lines in Figs 4; and 5. theyv engage the battery contact. 32,;the bright headlight contact 30 and the taillight contact 29, but do not en agethedim headlight contact 31. Thus the g are connected with the battery. A movement of the switch one point to the left to thetdim position removesthe connection with v the bright headlight contact and substitutes connection with the dim headlight contact, connection with the taillight and the batter y continuing, sothat the dim headlight and the taillightarc connected with the battery, but in the thirdposi-tion of the switch, or the off position, by a further movement ofone point to the left, connection with the battery is removed so that none of the lights are connected therewith.

The switch handle may be locked. in any of its positions the act 0t turning and removing a key 33 which fits through a key 0 ening 34= in the end of the switch hand e 16. A key guide 35 fits inabore of the switch handle and comprises a strip'ofsheet metal bent to a narrow U-form with its upper ends bent outwardly and rounded to fit the bore. The narrow space between the sides of the key guide is adapted; to register withthe key opening 34:, and the fiat key 33, when inserted, fits therein. with the two horns at its end passing through cutaway parts ofthe bottom bend of the key guide to enter a slot 36 in-the end of a cam member 37. The slotted end of the cam member 37 rotatably fits in the end of the bore of the switch handle and has a central de ression- 38 in which the reduced: inner en of the key guide fitsso as to be capable vot' turningwithout turningthe' cam right headlights and the-taillightmember and being held in position thereby for guiding the insertion of the key into the slot 36. Next to the end boss-like portion of the cam member 37 which tits in the key guide bore of. the switch handle is a ratchet 39 and a concentric cam 4-0 preferably forming integral parts of the cam member, and a spring pawl H secured in place in a recess of the switch lmudlecugage-s the teeth of the ratchet to permit the cam member to turn only in one direction with respect to the switch handle. The cam 40 bears upon the bearing plate '23 and tits within a cross slot or Scotch yoke opening of a sliding locking bolt 4-2. The turning of the cam member 37 by means of the key engaged therewith causes the cam 40 to reciprocate the locking slide 42 so as to project first one end and then the other beyond the switch handle and into engagement with suitable locking notches 43 in the flange 19, when the key guide 35 is in position to register with the key opening 34. Notches- 44 in the edges ofthe key and an enlargement at the center of the key opening 34 permit the key to be turned after itis properly entered and engaged with the cam member 37 though such turning may only bethe direction permitted by the ratchet, and the cam which reci rocates-the sliding lock bolt issopositions that when the. slot 36 of the cam member is at. right angles to the plane of the key opening the sliding bolt 'is within the confines of the switch memben bu-t in: theintermediate positions when the groove 36 is in theplane of the key opening the locking boltisprojected at one end or the other through one of the openings 43,-thus lockingthe switch handle against turning.

At its other-endthe cam member 37 is provided with a flange 45 which fits within a central slot 46. A connecting member 4? of insulating material, shown as a fiber disk. has diametrically opposite notches 48 on gaged with a pair of concentric rotataliilfl mounted brush arms 49 which are insulated from each other and sweep over a set 0'? contact segments 50 and 5].- respectively. The segments 51 have no electrical connection and the segments 50 which are diametrica lly opposite hai'e-electrical connection with binding post studs 52 intended for connection. with the terminals of an ignition circuit. a

The concentric pivotal mounting. for the contact brushes 49: is most clearly shown in Fig, 7 and comprises a shouldered, flanged tubular stud 53 passing through the recessed fiber base 2fi with' its outer edge turned out wardly to rivet it in place against a. metal strap 53' which connects with the battery binding post 32. Around the reduced shouldered. portion of the tubular stud 53 and confined between the flange thereofand of the other contact brush 49 [its around the shouldered portion and against the flanged portion of the central stud 58 and bears upon a metal washer. 59 confined between the shouldered portion of the central stud and the insulating washer 56. At the outer end of the central stud 58 its edges are turned outwardly against a metal washer 60 which bears against the insulting washer 57, thus riveting together the assembled parts in such a way that the two contact brushes 49 may freely swing about the-same axis while being thoroughly insulated from each other. Electrical connection is made with'the upper contact brush through the central stud 58, a screw 61 being threaded in the outer end thereof to form a binding post therewith for connection with the other terminal of the battery.

This switch construction afiords control of the lighting circuits combined with a control of the ignition circuit with an effective locking of the lighting switch in any of its positions with a locking of the ignition switch in its open position by the removal of the key, and having the added feature of reversing the polarity of the ignition circuit each time the key is inserted and turned to unlock the switches.- There is thus combined in this switch the protection against tampering with the lighting circuit, and protection against theft of the automobile by preventing the closing of the ignition circuit, and a protection against pitting of contacts in the ignition circuit by the automatic reversal of direction of current-therethrough each time the key is removed and replaced.

hen the key is in place in the switch the locking bolt 42 is in an intermediate o si tion where it will not engage any 0 the notches of flange 19, and consequently the switch handle 16 may be turned from one position to another, making connection for lighting the bright headlights and the taillight in the on position, and making conmotion for lighting the dim headlights and the taillight int-he dim position, and disconnecting the battery from all lights in the off position. In any position of the lighting switch with'the key in place the ignition circuit is completed bythe contact brushes 49 engaging the live segments 50 respective- 1y, said brushes remaining in contact with the live segments throughout the sweep of movement of the switch handle 16 by turning with the switch handle. The positive engagement of the pawl 4:1 with the ratchet teeth 3!) causes the cam member 37 to move with the switch handle when the latter is turning in one direction and the spring action of the pawl 41 is sufliciently stiff to cause the cam member 37 to turn with the switch handle when the latter is moved in the other direction.

hen, however, the key is turned in the switch handle to a position in line with the keyhole so that it may be withdrawn therefrom, the turning of the cam member 37 incident thereto causes the locking bolt 42 to be forced by the cam 40 into engagement with one of the notches 43, whatever the position of the switch handle may be, and the turning of the insulating connector l7 which keyed on said cam member causes the contact brushes 49 to move off of the live segments 50 and onto the dead segments 51, thus opening the ignition circuit. The switch being locked, no change can be made therein until the key is inserted and turned in the samedirection as be'fore, the ratchet preventing its turning in the other direction. In turning the key the contact brushes 49 are again moved into contact with the live segments 50, but as they have been moved just one half turn their positions have been transposed relative to the live contacts forming the terminals of the ignition circuit, and as said contact brushes form terminals of the battery circuit the direction of flow of current through the ignition circuit is reversed, and each time the key is removed and inserted such reversal will take place so that pitting of vi brator or interrupter contacts will be mini mized or avoided entirely.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the switch mechanism of this invention combines with the stationary base part consisting of the casing 17 and terminal head 26: a controller consisting of the contacts 21 with their co-operating contact studs 29, 30, 31 and 32; and also a second controller which is concentric with the first controller and consisting of contact brushes i9 and their co-operatin segments 50; and that the cam member 3 constitutes a spindle positioned concentrically within the first mentioned controller for operating the second controller: that the handle 16 serves to o erate the first mentioned controller; that t e key 33 constitutes a removable handle positioned concentrically within the first mentioned handle for operating the second controller; that the locking bolt 42 constitutes a. means for locking the first mentioned controller against oscillation when it is in the otf position; and the cam 40 constitutes a means operated by the removable handle for disabling the locking n'ieans.

It is obvious that. the invention is not. conl'ined to the particular circuit connections described or to the details of construction, but that various modifications may be made coming within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

l-Vhat we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch having a rotary handle, a key adapted to lit in the handle and turn thete in, a'caui engaged and turned by the key, a locking bolt on the switch handle moved by the cam, and a stationary stop eng'aged by the locking bolt.

2. K switch having a rotary switch handle containing acavity communicating with n key opening, a key guide comprising a Strip of sheet metal bent to a. U-shape with its.

ends turned outwardly, said key guide fitting in the cavity with the outturned ends hearing against the walls of the cavity to position the narrow space between the parallel sides of the key guide in alignment with the key opening, the bent portion of the key guide having its edges cut away to form a reduced central end portion, a cam member rotatably mounted in the switch handle and having a central socket containing the reduced end of the key guide and having a transverse slot through the walls of the socket, a, flat key adapted to enter through the key opening and having a pair of smced projections at its inner end to stra dle the reduced end portion of the key guide andentcr the slot of the cam memher, a locking bolt. slidably mounted in the switch handle and engaged by the cam, and a stationary stop engaged by the locking bolt.

3. A switch having a rotary switch handle containing a cavity communicating with a key opening, a key guide comprising a strip of sheet metal bent to a U-shape with its ends turned outwardly, said key guide titting in the cavity with the outturned ends bearing against the walls of the cavity to position the narrow space between the parallel sides of the key guide in alignment with the key opening. the bent portion of the key guide having its edges cut away to form a reduced central end portion, a. cam member rotatably mounted in the switch handle and having a central socket containing the reduced end of the key guide and a transverse slot through the walls of the socket, a flat key adapted to enter through the opening and having a pair of spaced projections at its inner end to straddle the reduced end portion of the key guide and enter the slot of the cam member, a, locking bolt slida-bly mounted in the switch handle and engaged by the cam member, a stationary stop engaged by the locking bolt,

ratchet teeth on the cam member, a spring pawl on the switch handle engaging the ratchet teeth, a switch member secured to the switch handle, switch arms carried thereby, and a switch base having contacts engaged by the switch arms.

4:. In a switch, a. suitably mounted switch handle, a lighting switch controlled thereby, a lock for the switch handle, a key fitting in the switch handle and adapted to be turned for operating the lock and confined in place while the switch handle is unlocked, and an ignition switch ope-rated by the turning of the key.

5. la a switch, a switch handle, a switch mechanism operated thereby, a lock for the switch handle, a lock operating member, a key for turning said member, and a pole reversing switch operated by the key pro duced turning movements-of the lock operating member.

6. In a switch, a switch handle, a switch mechanism operated thereby, a, lock for the switch handle, a; cam member for operating the look. a removable key engaging the cam member for turning thesame, a ratchet for preventing the turning of the cam member in one direction, and apolereversing switch 'uperated by the-cam member.

T. In a switch, a switch handle, a lock therefor. a switch mechanism operated by the switch handle, key controlled means for operating the lock, a pair of concentrically mounted contact brushes insulated from each other. an insulated connector on the lock operating means engaging the contact brushes, and stationary contacts in the path of the contact brushes.

8. In a switch, a casing, a. switch handle mounted therein, a sliding bolt on the switch handle adapted to engage the casing to lock the switch handle, a cam member 'rotatably mounted in the switch handle and having a cam engaging the sliding bolt to move it into and out of its locking engagements, ratchet teeth on the cam member, a spring pawl on the switch handle engaging the ratchet teeth. a key adapted to turn and look within the. switch handle and engaging the cam membtl to cause the cam member to turn therewith, a lighting switch operated by the turning of the switch handle. and a pole reversing ignition switch'operated by the turning of the cam member.

9. In a switch, a casing, a switch handle mounted therein, a key-turned cam member mounted in the switch handle, a lock member operated by the cam member for locking the switch handle, an insulating base for the casing, a flanged, tubular stud passirw through the insulating base, a flanged stud passing through the tubular stud and insulated therefrom, contact brushes rotatably mounted on the flanged portions of both studs and insulated from each other, sta- 10. In a switch, a casing, a switch handle mounted therein, a lock for the switch handle, a key-turned cam member for operating the lock, an insulating base for the casing, contact brushes concentrically mounted on the insulating base, means for making electrical connection therewith, stationary contact segments on the insulatin base en aged by the contact brushes, sai contact rushes being bent to form arched portions, a rib on the end of the cam member, an insulating disk having a slot receiving the rib and having notches in its edge engaging the arched portions of the contact brushes, a switch member carried by the switch handle, and stationary contacts in the insulating base engaged by the switch member.

11. In a switch, a switch handle, a switch mechanism operated thereby, a lock for the switch handle, a key for operating the look by a turning movement thereogand a pole reversing switch opemtdby the mining of the key.

12. In a combination switch, a handle mounted to turn, a switch turned thereby a driver mounted to turn in the handle, a detent connection between the handle and the driver, a second switch driven by the driver, a terminal head having contacts engaged by the two switch members, the contacts for the second switch member being of sufiicient length to remain in engagement with the second switch member throughout the range of movements of the handle.

13. In a combination switch, a handle mounted to turn, a switch turned thereby, detents for yieldingly holding the switch member in its various positions, a driver mounted to turn in the handle, a ratchet connection between the handle and the driver, a second switch driven by the driver, a terminal head having contacts engaged by the two switch members, the contacts for the second switch member being of sufficient length to remain in engagement with the second switch member throughout the range of movement of the handle.

In testimony whereof, we'aifix our signa;

tures, in presence of two witnesses. a

STEPHEN F. BRIGGS. EDWARD N. JACOBI.

Witnesses R. S. 0. 0 mm. 

